Born Artivist

Who I am, who we are is a hodgepodge of genetics,  a pearl of consciousness, our environment and a string of experiences that help to shape us  at any given moment in time.  A pearl of consciousness is the eternal center of self that I believe we all are born into the world possessing. This constant part of self is always there and serves as the foundation of our very being. This consciousness is impacted by our everyday experiences as we grow our identity options. Sometimes the crafting of identity is a conscious process, but often it is an unconscious reshaping reacting to the world around us.  The carefree spirit can be diminished by tragedy. The complacent can be motivated into action by a change inspiring catalyst. The drug addict re-calibrated by the birth of a child.  The depressed transformed through music, prayer or any divine moment. The banner above speaks to the cultural kinship that has and is shaping the who that I am. Those flags come with histories and traditions, memories and blood, laughter and determination, language and dance, a new breath, a healing heart and a certainty of self. 
This present self is balancing the life of a professional commercial artist and that of an Artivist. I'm learning that Artivist aren't created, but born and called into action. My very soul begs me to speak about the world I live in and to motivate for change. I am the curious student eager to learn the others story and allow my world to be enriched by another's truths. 
**The curious student approach was extended to me by artivist/applied theatre practitioner, Keith Johnston 

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